Trauma Isn’t Just in Your Mind, It’s In Your Body, Too.

by Natalie Rosery, Bloomstead Counselling

Often, when people think about trauma, in general, they often imagine strong emotions, or distressing memories. While this is true, it does not consider how trauma can also be rooted in our body.

After a traumatic event has passed, many individuals notice that they are experiencing certain body reactions that are a reaction to this event. This can include tightness, tension, burnout, disrupted sleep, feeling on “edge,” difficulty relaxing, etc. Whatever this looks like—it is not a sign of weakness. This is usually tied to how our body may be trying to adapt, or protect us from a threat that is no longer active in most cases.

Understanding the Nervous System

Our nervous system is constantly scanning for cues of safety and danger. During overwhelming experiences, the body automatically activates survival responses such as fight, flight, freeze, or collapse. While these responses are adaptive during threatening situations, they sometimes remain active long after the danger has passed.

This is why healing often involves more than simply understanding what happened. It also involves helping the body recognize that it is safe in the present moment.

Why Body-Based Approaches Matter

Traditional talk therapy can provide valuable insight, but many people also benefit from approaches that include the body.

Body-based—or somatic—approaches encourage us notice physical sensations, breathing patterns, posture, movement, and tension in a safe, judgment-free space. Rather than forcing difficult emotions away, these approaches help us become curious about what our bodies may be communicating.

Research and clinical practice suggest that developing body awareness can support:

• Improved emotional regulation

• Greater awareness of stress responses

• Reduced muscle tension

• Increased feelings of safety

• A stronger connection between mind and body

Simple practices such as diaphragmatic breathing, mindful movement, gentle stretching, or a body scan can begin supporting nervous system regulation. For example, diaphragmatic breathing encourages slower, fuller breaths that promote relaxation and body awareness.

Healing Happens Gradually

Healing does not mean forgetting what happened. Instead, it often involves learning that your body no longer has to remain in survival mode.

As your nervous system experiences more moments of safety, flexibility, and regulation, it becomes easier to respond to life's challenges with greater resilience.

If you've ever felt like you "know" something logically but your body hasn't caught up, you're not alone. Healing is often both a cognitive and physiological process—and both deserve attention.

References

• Smith, I. (2020). Moving Beyond Trauma: The Roadmap to Healing from Your Past and Living with Ease and Vitality. New Harbinger Publications.

• Levine, P. A. (2010). In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness.

• Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory.